Letters to the Editor: 11.03.07

Recently, an historic event occurred the Elissa sailed into our harbor for a visit.

Where were the boaters of this city? People have to work, but with the large contingency of boats in our marina, surely there should have been more out to escort and greet Elissa as she arrived in our city.

To the handful of boaters who did show up to honor Elissa, thank you. Hopefully, when Elissa leaves our harbor, there will be more boats to see her on her way as a way of showing our thanks for coming to see us and bringing us a piece of living history.

Arline Francis

Better warned

According to David A. Roach's letter ("Worth a prize," Oct. 29) we should all be in the dark with him.

The threat of global warming is debatable, but here is another opportunity to learn from the past. Prior to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration received a memo titled "Bin Laden determined to attack in the U.S." If the warning had been heeded at the time, a tragedy could have been averted. At the time it seemed unfathomable that something so devastating could happen, but now we know. At least the memo's author tried.

If Al Gore and his scientists are wrong, at least they did what they thought was right.

James Snyder

Poor choice

Since when did so-called city leaders and the organizations they represent think it was OK to bring down the likes of Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales?

One must remember that these lapdogs were not prosecuted for purely political reasons. Mr. Rove was the one, along with Dick Cheney, who orchestrated the leaking of Valerie Plame's name. Mr. Alberto Gonzales is the perfect example of a lawyer not knowing or pretending not to know the laws and the U.S. Constitution. Every federal judge who has heard arguments in relation to the illegal wiretapping program has ruled it illegal and unconstitutional.

I'm guessing Connie Scott with Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse and Joe Cisneros with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with their members, think it's OK to glorify Rove and Gonzales. Just because they weren't prosecuted doesn't mean these crimes weren't committed. No wonder this city is in the state that it's in.

Ray Anthony Madrigal

Kind strangers

While driving to work on Oct. 30, I had a blowout near Ayers and Way Out Weber.

After pulling into the Bay Area Fellowship parking lot and jacking up my car, I realized I didn't have a proper tire iron to unbolt the wheel cover from the bad tire. A very helpful gentleman named Hector took time out to give me a hand. It turned out I did have the proper tools and Hector easily snapped the wheel cover from the fitting. Even though I reassured Hector I could finish up myself, he insisted on staying to make sure I could get on my way. Several other motorists also pulled over to offer their help.

One can sometimes get the sense that Corpus Christi is full of selfishness and apathy. I experienced none of that on Oct. 30. Although I wasn't completely helpless, several complete strangers offered me their help during the morning rush hour. It's very reassuring to know the kindness of strangers is alive and thriving in a city that too often gets a bum rap from its detractors. You'll see what I mean the next time you jack up your car on the side of a busy road.

Ralph Goonan

Honor veterans

With all the publicity about what to do with Memorial Coliseum, people have brought up the issue of its dedication as a World War II memorial, and have suggested ways to honor our vets. I am sure many of these people have attended parties or dances, enjoyed concerts or shows, sporting events and other forms of entertainment at the Memorial Coliseum without ever thinking about this building's dedication.

Just north of the Coliseum on Shoreline Boulevard is Sherrill Park. This park is solely dedicated to the military veterans. There are monuments for World War I, Pearl Harbor, Korea, Vietnam, POW-MIAs, and the War on Terrorism. What better place to relocate the Memorial Coliseum World War II plaque honoring our brave war dead?

Every month the Mayor's Committee for Veterans' Affairs holds a ceremony at this site. Sherrill Park is the perfect place to relocate the Memorial Coliseum's World War II plaque and should have an appropriate cover from the sun and rain for our living veterans who are being honored monthly.